FAAC Vehicle Simulators

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FDNNTV was recently invited to attend FAAC's once a year conference, also known as "The Customer for Life Conference." The conference allows current instructors of FAAC simulators to enhance and maintain skills previously learned.

Each year, FAAC chooses a different location for each of their conferences. Their latest conference was held  in Long Beach, California.

On display were a variation of simulators ranging from police, fire and transit. Each one is designed to simulate real life situations in which each field would encounter while on duty.

The instructor has the ability to create multiple scenarios from the command post and then change them at any time during the training. When observing, this seemed to keep the students alert and better prepared for what was next to come. Each simulator appeared to be designed to truly have the ability to save lives.

While at the conference, we had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Martin, Public Safety Business Manager. He stated that FAAC has been operating for over 40 years, and that the main focus of the company is to reduce the amount of deaths in each of the different fields.

Martin mentioned that there are about 30 to 40 individual departments around the country that utilize their simulators. In some instances, since the units are mobile, departments are able to come together to conduct regional trainings. In doing this, they are able to train more students, as well as share the cost of the unit.

FDNNTV was able to capture a few of the different scenarios that the students would experience during a training session. All in attendance seemed to be excited to share their experiences, as well as learn new skills to take back to their departments.

According to the FAAC website, their Fire/EMS driver trainer simulators are proved to reduce accidents and increase intersection analysis skills. A host of distinctive features work together to create a comprehensive virtual reality.

Driver Cab   

• Full power train, including engine, transmission and axle ratio   
  
• Suspension system that includes shock absorbers, springs and tire effects   
  
• Accurate vehicle brakes   
  
• Faithful replication of steering wheel feel and tendencies   
  
• Functional and accurately reproduced cab compartment controls    
  

Vehicle models include:   

• Pumper trucks   
  
• Tower trucks    
  
• Tillers   
  
• Aerial trucks   
  
• Tractor-drawn ladder trucks   
  
• EMS/ambulance   
  

• Interchangeable cabs allow users to switch between training programs to maximize the scope and efficiency of the simulator     Proprietary SmartNode™ software recreates seat bounce and vibration from acceleration and braking,turning and curb strikes   
  

Real-time Computer System   

• Controls out-the-window visual scenes and vehicle sounds as they relate to driving and student performance   
  
• Provides signals to the student vehicle dashboard instruments   
  
• Senses and responds to student inputs, such as hard braking and oversteering   
  
• Provides realistic interaction between other driving stations networked in the same training scenario

Visual Display   

• A combination of front, side, and rear screens delivers 315° field of view of crisp, clear virtual training worlds   
  
• State-of-the-art flat screen monitors support real side- and rear-view mirrors   
  
• Real side and rear mirrors provide critical training on mirror usage techniques, such as leaning and blind spot identification

Instructor Operator Station   

• Instructors can manage one or several student driving sessions simultaneously and "fly" from one point in the training world to another to monitor  specific events.  
  
• Controls traffic, weather, equipment malfunctions, daylight, lesson storage and assessment   
  
• Provides a location for instructor-student interaction tools, such as a desktop instructor driving console and pedestrian joystick control

Sound   

• Generates vehicle motor and other operational sounds of an emergency vehicle, including Doppler effect sound motion   
  
• Radio (intercom) system can be integrated into the driving station to enable two-way communications activity and training for the student driver through interaction with the instructor

Author:Melissa Gonzales - FDNNTV.com